Field Trip to Portland in a Honda HR-V

“FieldTrips” is either a day trip or a few days where I visit food areas of interest which may include farm visits, producers, wineries, restaurants and/or other places that people can visit. This is about offering Vancouver Foodster readers a chance to get out of town and take a “Field Trip” for the day or a few days to explore, learn, taste and experience.

Field Trip to Portland in a Honda HR-V

Earlier in the fall, I took a trip in a Honda HR-V 2019 South to explore Portland, Oregon as it had been a little more than year from my previous visit. I started my day early leaving Vancouver and stopping for coffee at Narrative Coffee in downtown Everett, after this brief stop I headed out driving down the I-5, arriving in Portland just in time for lunch.

Honda HR-V

While in the city, I was also there to experience another Feast Portland, one of the most incredible food and drink festivals in America that takes place annually each September.

Hi-Lo Hotel lobby

Located centrally in downtown Portland, I stayed at the Hi-Lo Hotel, this is a boutique style hotel based around comfort. It’s easy to get around by walking or taking the streetcars, and the hotel is located near the Portland Art Museum, Pioneer Courthouse Square and Portland Saturday Market.

Sitting area in my room

Their stylish décor in each of the hotel rooms, plush bedding and complimentary Wi-Fi will make you feel at home. They recently added Craft-PDX restaurant on the main level along with a full bar. When you get hungry either head downstairs to dine in the restaurant or pick up the phone and order their convenient room service.

Arugula NW Apple Salad

Heirloom Tomatoes

Nicoise Salad

Salmon Risotto

My cousin Kay who happens to live in Portland joined me for lunch where we enjoyed a selection of dishes from Chef Bryant Kryck’s menu. Loved all four dishes from their all day menu, the Arugula NW Apple Salad, Heirloom Tomatoes, Nicoise Salad and the Salmon Risotto.

The HR-V has great fuel economy and good performance with its 1.8-liter 4-cylinder is large. With a choice of a continuously variable transmission or a 6-speed manual (the latter only on front-drive models) the HR-V mirrors the Fit’s transmission offerings and is in offered as an all-wheel drive.

Good Coffee

Iced Americano

I visited the Woodlark location of Good Coffee which was conveniently located in the downtown area, here I had an Iced Americano to go. Good Coffee is a Portland based chain that roasts their own coffee beans supplying their own stores.

Good Coffee

813 SW Alder St

Portland, OR

Took a drive from downtown across the river to the Eastside to the Williams neighborhood for lunch at Eem.

EEM

For lunch I visited an amazing newcomer which blended Thai cuisine with Southern BBQ together at Eem Restaurant. They were located outside of downtown in the NE Williams neighborhood. They recently won best new Restaurant of the Year by the Oregonian for the best Thai food and BBQ along with luxuriously crafted Tiki Cocktails.

White Curry with brisket burnt-ends

Pea shoots salad

BBQ Meats Platter

Banana and Chocolate Pie

Loved each of the dishes especially this unique White Curry with brisket burnt ends, a magical dish of unique flavours combining Thai with Southern Bbq. Also loved the flavourful Pea shoots salad; the BBQ Meats platter was exceptional with delicious beef brisket and more. The Banana and Chocolate Pie with coconut cream was the perfect finish.

Eem

3808 N Williams Ave st 127,

Portland, OR

I loved their 24-hour fitness center which was complete with cardio machines and free weights. Working out here was the perfect balance to my eating adventures around the city providing me a way of working off some of the calories.

Hi-Lo Hotel lobby

Hi-Lo Hotel

320 SW Harvey Milk Street

Portland, OR

Portland Art Museum

In the afternoon I visited the Portland Art Museum for the first time, the museum was founded in 1892, making it the oldest art museum on the West Coast and seventh oldest in the US. Here are I explored a couple of their exhibitions including their Native American art collections.

Standard features on the HR-V include power windows, locks, and mirrors; a rearview camera; a tilt/telescope steering column; steering-wheel audio controls; and Bluetooth with audio streaming. Options will include a touchscreen interface; Honda’s LaneWatch camera; keyless ignition; paddle shifters; satellite radio; navigation; leather; a sunroof; and heated front seats.

Saturday Market

Every Saturday is the Portland Saturday Market situated close to the Waterfront in downtown Portland, it is one of the largest around with a great selection of crafts and food, open to the public with free access.

Nossa Familia

iced Americano

Another café that I visited was in the Pearl District Nossa Familia where I an Iced Americano on this hot day, Nossa Familia is a local Portland based chain that sustainably roasts only the best specialty coffee, responsibly sourced through deep-rooted, direct trade relationships in Brazil & beyond.

Nossa Familia

1350 NW Lovejoy St,

Portland, OR

 

Proud Mary Coffee

One of my favourite cafes in Portland is Proud Mary and I was happy to visit again for lunch, they are located in the East Alberta neighborhood which was about a 15 minute drive from the hotel. I enjoyed their Aussie meat pie with greens along with a pour-over coffee.

I like that the HR-V comes standard with a rearview camera and tire-pressure monitors, along with the usual traction systems and airbags.

in Seattle

It was another wonderful visit to Portland along with brief coffee stops in Everett and in Seattle.

Stay tuned for my next Field Trip outside of Vancouver.

By: Richard Wolak

Disclosure:Honda Canada provided me with the 2019 Honda HR-V for a week to test drive, and photograph. The Hi-Lo Hotel provided me with complimentary accommodation, Travel Portland assisted with other aspects of the trip. As always, all opinions and photos are my own.

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